On The Cover Story, we believe everyone has a story that goes far beyond their title or profession. Geary Stonesifer’s public story is that of a successful banker who became the steward of one of Florida’s most iconic food brands. But what is the chapter of his life that few people know, the story that truly shaped the man he is today?
By Nancy Esteves
Cover shoot location: El Atlacatl Restaurante
Photo: Kenet Regis
“The point isn’t preserving tradition for its own sake. It’s preserving the qualities that made the brand trusted.” – Geary Stonesifer
More Than 100 Years of History
1915: Sally Peters creates her first smoked fish recipes in Florida, laying the foundation for one of the state’s most iconic seafood brands.
1930s: Mrs. Peters earns a loyal following throughout Florida for its handcrafted quality and authentic smoked seafood.
1980s: The company becomes a trusted name among families, restaurants, and specialty retailers, building a reputation that spans generations.
2005: Geary Stonesifer acquires Mrs. Peters with a commitment to preserving its heritage while positioning the company for future growth.
Today: Mrs. Peters continues to honor Sally Peters’ original recipes while expanding into new markets with premium smoked seafood, quality ingredients, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Every Extraordinary Brand Begins with an Extraordinary Person
What’s the chapter of your life that few people know, the story that truly shaped the man you are today?
Most people know me through my career in banking or as the owner of an iconic food company. But neither title really defines me. Banking gave me an extraordinary foundation. It taught me discipline, leadership, and how to solve complex problems with great people. But building a brand changed my perspective. In many ways, it’s like being a father. As the father of two children, what you invest shapes who they become. Building a brand is similar. It’s part art, part science, and when those come together, something real takes shape, something people can see and share. That’s where my definition of success has moved. Today, it’s about creating something with lasting value, something that keeps making a difference long after I’m no longer at the center of it. Whether raising children or building a brand, the reward is knowing that what you poured into keeps growing and doing good.
The Steward of a Florida Legacy
More than 100 years after Sally Peters handwrote her first recipes, Geary Stonesifer continues to lead Mrs. Peters with the same commitment to quality, family and tradition.
Looking back, what’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned from stepping away from the corporate world and becoming the steward of one of Florida’s most iconic food brands?
The biggest lesson is that running your own business is totally different from working in a corporation. In a corporation, you handle your piece. When it’s your business, every decision lands on your shoulders, good or bad. And I’ve learned that success comes from doing the day-in, day-out stuff. Solving problems, taking care of your people, looking after customers – no shortcuts, just consistency.
You’ve led businesses in very different industries. Today, how do you define success, and what values do you hope every customer experiences when they enjoy a Mrs. Peters product?
Obviously, everyone is in business to make a living, so we cannot be naive about that fact. However, enjoyment is part of success, not separate from it. For Mrs. Peters, I want customers to feel like they’re getting honest quality, made with care and not cutting corners. If someone opens a tub and says, “This is the best fish dip I’ve ever had,” and they come back for more, that’s the win, both emotional and sustainable.
Mrs. Peters has been part of Florida’s history for more than a century. When you first learned the company’s story, what convinced you this was a legacy worth preserving?
When I worked for the investment bank Alex Brown, we took Krispy Kreme Donuts public, and I saw how powerful a beloved regional brand can be. So, when evaluating Mrs. Peters during acquisition diligence, I drew a parallel. Different products, of course, but the same loyalty, the same generational pride. That made me want to preserve and grow it, not change it.
A Legacy That Lives at Every Table
Your products are still crafted using traditional smoking methods and time-honored recipes. In an era of automation and mass production, why has it been so important to protect those traditions?
The point isn’t preserving tradition for its own sake. It’s preserving the qualities that made the brand trusted. We still use the original handwritten recipes of Sally Peters, and we’ve developed some new ones to stay on trend with flavors. When we create new products, we follow the same philosophy: keep seafood front and center, hold it at 50% of every dip, and keep ingredients simple. We’ve been careful not to automate the craftsmanship out of the product, while modernizing where it makes sense. That’s how we honor the tradition while carrying it forward responsibly.
More consumers today are paying close attention to the ingredients in the foods they buy. What sets Mrs. Peters apart when it comes to the quality of your ingredients, your smoking process, and your commitment to making products people can feel good about serving their families?
We use only wholesome, high-quality ingredients. Every dip has 50% seafood, and we keep recipes simple, seasoning just enough to enhance, not overwhelm. And we still use the traditional smoking methods that define the brand. The goal is for families to feel confident that they’re serving something made with quality ingredients and an unwavering commitment to that standard.
Mrs. Peters is known for its smoked seafood, premium fish, meats, and signature dips. What’s your personal favorite selection, and why? What makes that product special to you?
It’s hard to choose, but my favorites are still the two original smoked fish dips created by Sally Peters, our Mahi and Wahoo dips. Those recipes have lasted more than a century because they embody what Mrs. Peters stands for: simple ingredients, premium seafood, letting the fish shine. Every time I enjoy one, I’m reminded that we’re carrying forward a very special culinary legacy. I’m also proud of our Baltimore and New Orleans-style crab dips. I’m a native of Baltimore, and I grew up really loving great crab dishes. I felt there was room to create premium crab dips that stood apart while still sticking to Mrs. Peters’ philosophy. Those products tell our story. The original Mahi and Wahoo dips represent our heritage, and the crab dips represent our future. Together, they tell the story of Mrs. Peters.
For someone discovering Mrs. Peters for the first time, where can they find your products? Which grocery stores, specialty markets, restaurants, or locations would you recommend they visit?
Mrs. Peters products are available throughout Florida and the Southeast in Publix supermarkets. We also produce private label smoked seafood products for approximately 80 to 100 restaurants across Florida. In the Northeast, you’ll find us in ShopRite stores across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. In Texas, we’re available at H-E-B and Central Market. And we’re proud to partner with specialty retailers like Wynn’s Market in Naples, Joseph’s Classic Market, and Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets in Palm Beach County.
As you look ahead, what is your vision for Mrs. Peters over the next five to ten years, and what would you like the company to be known for by the next generation of customers?
Over the next five to ten years, our vision is not to be everything to everybody in seafood. We want to be recognized as the leading premium smoked seafood company in America, starting with the smoked fish dip category that built our reputation. At the same time, we’re excited about expanding with our hot smoked fish fillets, seeing real opportunity in both retail and food service. But our philosophy won’t change. We’ll keep innovating while staying true to the values that have guided Mrs. Peters for more than a century.
“Ultimately, we’d like the next generation of customers to think of Mrs. Peters as the company that set the standard for premium smoked seafood in America, respected for quality, innovation, and never losing sight of its heritage.”
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